"The updated version of the code of conduct is probably worse than the first version," Cr Paul Belcher said at the February council meeting. Cr Belcher said he was remained opposed to the code's requirement for councillors to obtain the permission of the general manager before speaking to council staff, saying this was a restriction on councillors' ability to perform their role.
"The whole thing about getting permission from the general manager is a form of dictatorship, I believe," he said. Councillor Julie Triffett had moved that the new code be adopted, seconded by Cr Rachel Power, but chose not to open the debate on the matter.
After hearing Cr Belcher's comments, Cr Triffett said she did not have a problem asking the general manager for permission to speak to staff, but she did have a concern about the updated code of conduct. "What I do have a problem with is the introduction of a 'reasonable person test'," she said. "I don't know what a 'reasonable person' is. I mean, I think I know, but my idea of a reasonable person might not be the same as someone else's idea of a reasonable person."
Cr Triffett also said she was surprised that "potential perceived conflict of interest" remained in the updated code. Mayor Ben Shaw said it was his understanding it had in fact been removed. General manager Greg Winton said he had taken up an offer by the Director of Local Government to visit councils to go through the changes to the code in more detail and was trying to find a suitable date.
Cr Triffett asked if the council was likely to find itself in trouble again if it failed to adopt the new code by the deadline imposed by Parliament. "It has to be adopted by council, by legislation," Mr Winton said. "If you chose not to, then I would need to report that to the director."
Cr Belcher then moved that the item be deferred until after councillors had been briefed by Local Government director Alex Tay. This was seconded by Cr Martyn Evans. Cr Rachel Power expressed concern that the council might not make a decision on the matter before the deadline, which Mr Winton said would fall on March 10.
Mr Winton said a month's delay would probably not be a problem, and mayor Ben Shaw said the previous council had delayed its decision on the first model code of conduct for about six months before complying. Both said the council's major issue in 2016 had been the legislated requirement for councillors to vote in favour of the code whether or not they agreed with it, and the same applied now to the revised document.
The motion to defer consideration of the revised code of conduct was approved by the majority of councillors, with Cr Triffett abstaining. The council's delaying tactics in 2016 was one of the issues that led to Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein commissioning an inquiry into the council that resulted in the council as a whole receiving a reprimand for its failure to comply with the legislation.
"I don't know what a 'reasonable person' is."
ReplyDeleteThe test here is to make people think of how their actions would be perceived by someone not associated with them or their actions.
Look at the Mathius Cormann travel incident. Getting free travel that way would be considered wrong by a reasonable person. Cormann, in his privileged position, did not see it so because he, by definition, is not a "reasonable person". He was unable to see how his actions would be perceived by people outside the parliament, because those in parliament consider themselves to be entitled.
It's really just a matter of scale.
I think there seems to be confusion about Councillors getting permission from the General Manager before speaking to Council staff. I am sure that does not mean in general terms, I think it means 'Give direction or orders to Council staff' and that is entirely understandable. Bearing in mind that the only employee that council as a body has is the General Manager, and one would assume that as Council has recently renewed his contract that they have full confidence in his ability to do his job,which is by the way to direct and guide the staff in day to day operational matters. It would be unworkable for Councillors to interfere in operational matters especially when they do not necessarily have the skills required.I think that General Managers do have to much power under the existing legislation but until there has been a review (which I believe is taking place at the moment) we just need to work with what we have in a sensible manner and accept the code.
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